Is gum made out of rubber?

Chewing gum, a common candy, is loved by people of different ages for its unique chewiness and diverse flavors. However, many people have doubts about the gum's ingredients, especially whether it is made of rubber. This article explores the history, ingredients, and manufacturing process of chewing gum to answer this question.

The history of chewing gum:

People's habit of chewing natural substances dates back to ancient civilizations. The Maya and Aztecs chewed gum, while the ancient Greeks and Romans chewed resin. However, the origins of modern chewing gum date back to the 19th century, when it was first commercially produced in the United States.

 

Ingredients of chewing gum:

Chewing gum is a complex substance made up of a variety of ingredients. Here we listed some main ingredients below:

Gum base: The gum base is the chewy part of chewing gum, so people mistakenly believe that chewing gum contains rubber. Gum base is the most important ingredient that makes gum different from other candy products, and it’s also the ingredient that gives gum unique characteristics. Usually made from synthetic rubber or natural rubber matrix, these materials are like rubber but are not the same. Synthetic rubber, such as styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), is extracted from petroleum and is used for its elasticity and durability. 

Sweetener: To make chewing gum taste pleasant, sweeteners are added. The sweetener, as usual, is divided into two kinds: sugar and sugar-free. They’re usually white sugar, sorbitol, xylitol, etc. Depending on whether the gum is sugar- or sugar-free, a gum can add sugar- or sugar-free. In recent years, people's greater concern about physical health and calorie intake control has made sugar-free products more popular, and many sugar-free gum options are on the market today. Sugar-free gums are becoming a new fashion. 

Flavors: flavors added to the gum to give gum specific tastes; the flavors can be natural or artificial, and the most common flavors are different fruity flavors like orange, watermelon, green apple, and other minty flavors. 

Softeners: Softeners are also added to gum. The most common softeners include lecithin and glycerin. They make the gum softer and easier to chew.

Manufacturing process:

The process of making gum is an interesting technology. Here are the steps of the manufacturing process:

Milling: The first step is to prepare all the ingredients based on the making formula. The sugar is then milled into sugar powder if it is sugar gum.

Mixing: In a mixer machine, mix the gum base, sweetener, softener, and other ingredients. Heat and stir the mixture until it reaches the proper consistency (dough).

Extruding: Putting the dough into an extruder machine after mixing it into an extruder machine; this step is to form the dough into a gum rope based on the gum size needed. The gum rope will have the same diameter as the manufacturer needs.

Forming: After extruding a gum rope, the next step is to put it into a forming machine. The function of a gum-forming machine is to form the rope into the gum shape and size.

Cooling: The gum cubes are cooled to a temperature that is easy to handle and ready for packaging. 

Cut: The cooled gum is cut into small, well-shaped pieces. This makes the gum become individual pieces. In this step, it’s the gum we eat and buy on the market.

Packaging: Each piece of gum is wrapped in a packaging machine; the wrapper could be a thin layer of foil or paper to keep it fresh and prevent contamination. The packaged gum is then put into boxes, bags, or jars, ready for distribution.

The role of gum base in chewing gum:
While it is true that some gum bases contain synthetic rubber, it is important to understand that rubber and gum bases are not the same substance. Gum bases are often compared to rubber because they can remain elastic during chewing without losing their properties.

Health considerations:
Chewing gum has been the subject of various health claims, both positive and negative. Some studies have shown that chewing gum can aid digestion, increase alertness, and improve oral health by stimulating saliva production. However, excessive chewing of gum can also lead to jaw pain and potential oral problems if the gum contains sugar.

Conclusion:

In short, chewing gum contains a gum base, a rubber-like substrate; it is not made of rubber in the traditional sense. The gum base is a carefully formulated ingredient that creates the chewy and pleasurable product we know today, along with sweeteners, flavors, and other ingredients. Next time you put a piece of gum in your mouth, you might as well take the time to enjoy this simple fun involved in complex science and engineering.




Author: Wuxi Gum Base
Publication Date: 9/20/2024